Red Sox: Ranking the 10 worst contracts in the American League East right now

8) Worst contracts in the AL East: Chris Sale

Prior to the 2019 season, the Red Sox agreed to a contract extension that would keep Chris Sale in Boston for another five seasons. It began in the 2020 season and was worth $145 million. After being one of the best pitchers in baseball prior to the extension, Sale simply hasn't been able to stay on the field.

Tommy John Surgery knocked Sale out of action for the entire 2020 season and most of 2021. He made just 11 starts combined in 2021 and 2022 as he dealt with other injuries, which kept him on the sidelines. This season has been his healthiest since 2019, but the results haven't quite been there.

Sale has been limited to 12 starts as he missed substantial time due to a stress fracture in his left scapula. He has a 4.52 ERA in those starts which is not great, although a 3.69 FIP suggests he's been unlucky. He just returned off the IL this past weekend and he allowed two runs in 4.2 innings pitched.

It's nice to have Sale back in action and him being the Chris Sale we remember and love would provide Boston with a much-needed boost, but how reliable is he to actually take the ball every fifth day? He's made 23 starts since signing his extension over four years ago after averaging 29 starts per season from 2012-2019.

Sale is making $27.5 million this season, is set to make another $27.5 million next season, and has a $20 million club option for 2025. Boston hasn't gotten much with this contract, and it feels like they won't ever get anything close to what they had expected.